268 persons with families have returned from Pak illegally: Omar

Claiming that no person who had gone for arms training to PoK and Pakistan had returned under the state's policy of return and rehabilitation of ex-militants, Jammu and Kashmir Government today said so far 268 individuals along with families have illegally returned to J&K via Nepal.

"No individual has returned from PoK/Pak to the state through identified routes under the policy of 2010 (return and rehabilitations of former militants in PoK and Pak)," Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a written reply to JKNPP member Harshdev Singh's question in the Legislative Assembly today.

However, during the past three years and current year up to January 31, 268 individuals along with their families have returned via Nepal which is not a recognised route under the state's policy, he said.

Cases under relevant provisions have been registered against them, he said, adding six women, along with their 13 children, have returned without their husbands.

Of these, the husbands of two had infiltrated to LoC and later surrendered, three had died a natural death there. The husband of one had reportedly gone to Italy.

Omar was replying to a question on number of ultras who had come through the fixed routes and those who have come through Nepal, Bangladesh and LoC.

The Chief Minister said up to January 31 this year 1,171 applications have been received on the behalf of prospective returnees who are willing to return under the policy of 2010.
Out of these, 422 cases have been recommended by various intelligence agencies, he said.

While the cases of 12 prospective returnees had been recommended to the Union Home Ministry, the cases of 382 prospective returnees are under the consideration of the state Home Department.

The cases of remaining 28 have not been consider as they had returned via Nepal and were being dealt in accordance with relevant provisions, the Chief Minister said.